FAQ

Your land at Big Sky Ranch is owned Freehold via a ‘Fee Simple Title’ – A free and clear title. Once you have purchased property at Big Sky Ranch, you are also free to resell it without restrictions.

All 51 Signature Lots in Phase 1 are sold. However, there are several incredible resale opportunities for your to consider at Big Sky. 
VIEW LOTS AND HOMES
As of December 2023, there are 17 homes at Big Sky with several in the design stages.

Yes, the Big Sky Ranch Homeowners Association delineates the access to your property, common areas and equestrian easements, and maintains security and water infrastructure. The current HOA fee is $175/month and includes security, road maintenance and water system maintenance.

More details about the HOA and community guidelines can be found HERE

You are welcome to custom-build your home at Big Sky Ranch, and we are happy to point you in the right direction. Our Architectural Committee will review your designs to ensure they follow simple guidelines related to minimizing earth movement, respecting setbacks from neighbors, height restrictions for views and external finish materials so that we enhance and preserve the natural beauty of Big Sky Ranch.

Current Architectural Guidelines 

There are many factors to consider when estimating build costs.  For budget purposes we suggest a range from $95-$140 per square foot delivered turnkey with appliances and off-grid package. On the lower end you are more thrifty with materials, and investing your time to manage the build. On the higher end you are using more luxurious and/or imported materials and a reputable builder. As a reminder,  you will have to go through a build permitting process with the local Municipality.

1 Meter resolution topos are available for approximately $500, and take 1-2 weeks to complete.

We want people who are interested in creating a community at Big Sky Ranch, and so ideally our owners begin construction within 3 years of land purchase . It is for this reason that bare land and land with homes are charged the same HOA fees.  

We have negotiated packages with a number of solar and hybrid system suppliers locally to create a few packages. The size of your solar, invertor, and generator backup system will depend on your estimated usage. Approximately $15-20K can get you running off grid for a normal 2BR home with thoughtful electrical usage. $30K+ can get you there without thinking much about it as the sun powers your A/C!. These systems pay for themselves in less than 5 years!

There are two gates entrances to Big Sky Ranch. They are manned daily until dusk and the other until 9pm, with a night watchman on site. This is covered by the HOA fee.  Construction projects are required to have on site security after hours for equipment etc. General security does not guarantee security of your home. 

Annual property taxes of 0.8% are paid on the assessed value of your property to the local municipality. 

There is a well on Big Sky Ranch and water is pumped up to tanks and gravity fed back to the property lines. The cost is based on a monthly usage for each bedroom once finished. VIEW CURRENT RATES. There is also a straight m3 rate for water during construction.

Nicaragua has come online at the same time as the internet! up to 10MB/s service is available via WWAN from a number of providers. There is talk to fiber optic service to our zone  but it has not arrived….. yet. 

Big Sky is primarily a residential community, therefore, commerical activity is not permitted.  

You are free to do so. We  will also offer a property management program for properties that meet our specs for rental, and can take care of maintaining your place in guest-ready condition while you’re away.

Absolutely not. We have plenty of horses for you to play with! But you are welcome to own one yourself. There are boarding options at the Big Sky Stables and if your lot permits, you can have a horse at your home.

Big Sky Ranch has  a horse leasing program, which is one option for riding if you are an occasional rider or not yet ready for full ownership. If you already own horses, we can help you transport them down to Big Sky and board them at the Big Sky Stables. We of course also offer beach and trail rides from our stables with our trail herd. 

Yes! Nicaragua is horse country. There are  quality horse breeders in country for Spanish horses, or you can buy a local [or campesino] horse as well. We can assist you in finding the right horse for your needs.

We cater to both English / Dressage and Western style riding at Big Sky Ranch. Training and courses are available.  

You have the option to board on your own property at Big Sky Ranch. The Big Sky Stables is a separate yet complimentary operation and it not connected to the HOA at Big Sky Ranch. Click here for more information 

As the crow flies, there two main airports LIR (Liberia, Costa Rica), and MGA (Managua). 

In the last few years, folks are flying into Costa Rica and coming into Nicaragua over the land border [Penas Blancas]. Time from Liberia to Big Sky is about 3 hours depending on the time at border crossing.

MGA to Big Sky by road is approximately 2.5  hours, LIR to Big Sky is a shorter distance but similar time due to the border crossing in Costa Rica.

on note: There is a plan for a helipad at Big Sky Ranch, so stay tuned for options.

Contact us in advance, we can sort you out with a private transfer car or SUV

On horseback of course. But if  you are not a rider, we will gladly drive you through the property and show you around. We highly recommend that you stay in the area for a few days so that you get a feel for the area, one of the assets of Big Sky Ranch. 

Give us a call and we’ll come get you, or give you directions.

The million dollar question! We have excellent paved road up to 1 km from Big Sky, and the road work is in full swing to complete this road all the way through to a fast-border crossing with Costa Rica, dubbed “la costanera“. At this time, you can drive to Escamequita with any vehicle, including a motorcycle.

We are surprised – but pleased – how often this question is asked these days. Here’s the formula:

1 – Secure your land/property at Big Sky.
2 – Rent a home in SJDS area – we can point you to the best people to help with that.
3 – Get yourself / your family integrated into the community, stay involved in your home finish and fit-out so you are ready for move in as soon as possible!.

One of the lowest in the world, which is why Forbes, the WSJ, Huiffington Post, BBC, Globe and Mail, etc. keep Nicaragua on their top lists of places to retire. If you want the same goods and brands you enjoy where you are coming from, you’ll pay what the vendors fund to ship them in, but if you’re open to adapting to the excellent foods and products that are locally available, you will having incredible purchasing power. Health care is excellent and very low cost compared to most other countries, making it a great value.

You’ll be pleased to hear that there are several exceptional education opportunities in the area. Check them out: San Juan del Sur Day School, and Escuela Adelante. 

In 2020, new hospital opened in San Juan Del Sur. World class health care with everything from MRIs to Cath labs is available at the first world private Vivian Pellas Hospital Metrocentro in Managua. Local pharmacies stock all common drugs – just about all of which (exception being opiates) are over-the-counter instead of prescription in Nicaragua.

Furniture has been an growing industry here in Nicaragua and we can proudly say that there are a few local carpenters that are doing an outstanding job. We can point you in the right direction. 

Most vehicles are sold on line via facebook marketplace and Encuentra 24. We can also introduce you to a few truck brokers that have served us well over the years.